Time to Revisit the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher looking south toward Hag’s Head.

While I am always on the look out for new attractions and activities to share across Ireland it pays to revisit sites I’ve spent time at in the past. This fall the girls and I returned to the Cliffs of Moher. While we had seen the cliffs from a cruise in 2013, we hadn’t been on top of them since 2008! There have been quite a few fun changes since then!

New in the Cliffs Exhibition at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre

The Cliffs Exhibition (once called the Atlantic Edge) has received a digital face-lift. Fun interactive exhibits are centered in the huge domed cave.

Cliffs Exhibition at the Cliffs of Moher

Young children will love the computer-based wildlife game and making digital artwork that can be emailed home. Older kids (and adults) will ham it up in the Postcards from the Edge feature where a Cliffs backdrop can be chosen and a short movie can be emailed to friends & family. My girls had fun- sending this one to their dad…

Don’t miss The Clare Journey, and aerial tour of the area, and the virtual reality adventure The Ledge.

My favorite part of the Cliffs Exhibition is still the photos and stories from the history of the Cliffs. From the O’Brien tea parties on the limestone ledges to the boys who would be lowered down the cliff face to gather sea bird eggs, it’s truly fascinating.

New eats at the Visitor Centre

The Cliffs View Café has always offered diners a stunning view of the Cliffs. In past years the space was leased to an outside food provider. In 2015 the visitor centre took over food service and are now serving a terrific taste of County Clare by featuring local sea food, vegetables, ice cream, milk, and baked treats. Their local suppliers are a best-of along the Burren Food Trail.

Climb O’Brien’s Tower atop the Cliffs

Long summer evenings lead to spectacular views from O’Brien’s Tower at the Cliffs of Moher.

O’Brien’s Tower has been a feature on the Cliffs since 1835 when local landlord Cornelius O’Brien built it as a viewing point for tourists. Restored in 1974 and re-opened to tourists a few years ago, the tower raises you high enough to view the Aran Islands most days and to the Tweleve Bens in Connemara and Loop Head in southern Clare on a clear day. (additional charge to climb the tower)

Coastal Walking Trail

The Cliffs of Moher are a half way point of the Coastal Walking Trail between Liscannor and Doolin.

The Cliffs of Moher are a natural half-way point between the villages of Liscannor and Doolin. The full trail is 20km, but signposted trailheads with parking are located along the route.

Book into a guided Cliff Walk from Doolin with Pat Sweeney. Enjoy the stunning beauty as Pat shares his incredible knowledge of local history and lore as you walk to the Cliffs.

Visit in the Evening

The Cliffs of Moher turn pink as the sun sets.

Want to avoid most of the tour buses? Visit the Cliffs of Moher in the evening! Most tour groups are happily sipping beverages in a pub as the sun begins to set – which means the Cliffs are much less crowded- and the views have the added colors of sunset.

Fiery sunset over the Atlantic Ocean from the Cliffs of Moher.

First Aid in Nicholas’ Room

In 2006 a premature baby was born at the Cliffs of Moher. Sadly the baby boy, named Nicholas, did not live. He was buried in nearby Ennis, sister city to Phoenix, where his family lives. His parents, Dehlia and Kelly spearheaded an effort that raised $85,000 for a state of the art First Aid room, named Nicholas’ Room, at the Cliffs of Moher. All staff members at the Cliffs of Moher are First Responders and all can administer First Aid, making the Cliffs of Moher one of the safest places to visit in Ireland.

Have you visited the Cliffs of Moher? Share your highlights in the comments!

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Comments

We’re going there in July and are looking forward to it 🙂 It looks amazing!
We would love to go at the sunset, but in that season the sunset will be quite late in the evening and the visitor center and the parking will be most likely closed. Can we go anyway there? Is there possibility to park somewhere else in the evening?

People do park along the shoulder of the road after hours. Just be careful and find the widest spot- even if you have to walk a bit.
You could hire a taxi to drop you off and pick you up at a later time. Or walk out via the Coastal Walk and hire a taxi to pick you up at a specified time.

Visited there last May. It was dreary and rainy when we left the hotel, but by the time we arrived to the cliffs by bus from Killarney the sun broke out and the wind almost completely stopped. The wind meter there said 10mph. Our tour guide said that was almost unheard of. She said that a solid 50% of her tours she brings here never get to see the beautiful cliffs….only thick fog and raging winds. Well, I can attest that we were in the lucky 50% and were blown away (no pun intended) by the sight! I do have to admit I did not have the stamina to walk/climb all the way to the sentry tower on the edge of the cliffs.

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